Graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program are eligible to sit for the registered nursing examination in the State of Illinois. The registered nurse (RN) provides direct nursing care to patients and plans, organizes, supervises, delegates the administration of nursing care, and collaborates with other health care workers to improve patient outcomes.

Students who complete the requirements for the Practical Nursing Certificate are eligible to sit for the practical nursing examination in the State of Illinois. The licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides direct nursing care to patients and works under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.

Completion of the Nursing Assistant Certificate requirements leads to eligibility to take the nursing assistant certification examination for the State of Illinois. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide direct personal care to patients under the supervision of an RN.

What Are My Options?

The nursing program at Heartland Community College offers differing paths to a career in nursing: Associate Degree in Nursing leads to a career as a registered professional nurse (RN). Completion of the Practical Nursing Program leads to positions that work closely with the RN and provide direct care to patients as licensed practical nurses (LPN). The Nursing Assistant Program leads to certification (CNA) and a career providing direct personal care to patients under the supervision of an RN. The
Illinois Center for Nursing can provide you with statewide information about nursing.

Other Considerations...

Students applying to all of the nursing programs will undergo a criminal background check and drug screening by a college selected vendor and must meet functional abilities required to carry out the duties, roles, and responsibilities of the various programs.
For a list of disqualifying criminal offenses, please click
here.